A Pretty-Much-Perfect Family Day in Dumbo

We’re going to make a bold statement: Dumbo is the most family-friendly neighborhood in Brooklyn. Yes, even more so than Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. And darn it if you won’t take the best family selfies on the charming cobblestone streets there.

Mexican is one cuisine that most kids and adults can agree on—and this lively gem with a pretty backyard does it right. Order a few rounds of chips and guacamole, tortas, and tacos to share. Gran Electrica (5 Front Street) is only open for lunch on the weekends; if you visit Dumbo on a weekday, stop by neighborhood favorite Superfine (126 Front Street)instead.

After lunch, walk 10 minutes through the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets to this escape room–paintball mashup venue. You and the kids (10 and up only, sorry) don hazmat suits and goggles and enter a series of rooms where you must collaboratively solve puzzles in order to defuse a paint bomb. If you can’t break the codes in time, messy hilarity ensues. It’s a (colorful) blast. 247 Water Street, #106

You don’t need to know who Jane is—but you can; this beauty was built in 1922 and bought at an auction by Jane and David Walentas of the real-estate empire in 1984—to hop aboard a painted steed and take in one of the best views of Manhattan from the waterfront ride. Open year-round but not every day, so check here for hours. Brooklyn Bridge Park, between Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges

Load up on reading material at PowerHouse (28 Adams Street), a beautiful indie shop with high ceilings and a well-stocked kids’ corner. Then splurge on a stuffed reading buddy at the supercharming Two Kids (65 Pearl Street), where Monchichi dolls are sold. Remember those?